Arthropod community composition along snowmelt gradients in snowbeds in the Snowy Mountains of south-eastern Australia

摘要: Environmental gradients drive variation in community composition across a range of spatial scales. In alpine regions, areas long‐lasting snow (‘snow patches’) create snowmelt that considerable change vegetation structure and over small This study examined whether there is parallel arthropod communities using the Australian Alps. Mites (Acarina) were most common arthropods patches, followed by springtails while, among insects, orders Hymenoptera (primarily Formicidae), Diptera, Coleoptera Carabidae) Hemiptera Cicadellidae) dominated. Along gradient, assemblages changed from having equal proportions predators herbivores early‐melting zones to being predator‐dominated late‐melting zones, particularly early growing season. transition cover was driven higher numbers predacious carabid beetles later‐melting zones. Overall, however, our results suggest snowbed zone are more sensitive short‐term effects, such as time since snowmelt, than differences or long‐term patterns snowmelt. Continued advancement timing due warmer spring temperatures therefore likely have impact on seasonality overall composition.